Athletic training device

ABSTRACT

A training device to limit or restrict a portion of a person&#39;s field of vision to improve a skill or the ability to perform a task. The training device assists in the training, practicing or learning various skills related to a certain activity, such as sports. The device includes a restrictor component and a control component. The control component is configured to be positioned in the mouth of a person such that the restrictor component extends outward to limit the field of vision.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to athletic training devices and more specifically to a device that restricts the vision of an athlete during training or practice or learning of a sport in order to improve skill.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Recreational or professional sports often require the development of certain skills related to the sport. Skills may include, for example, running, jumping, coordination, concentration, confidence, or handling a sport element. For purposes of this application, a sport element is anything used in conjunction with playing the sport such as a ball, a puck, or a racquet.

Skills associated with a particular sport include, for example, dribbling a basketball, catching or throwing a baseball, directing a hockey puck or gripping a tennis racquet. Initially, skills are usually learned through instruction from a coach or a friend, from watching others perform the skill, or from a book.

Skills typically include one or more elements such as a mechanic element of bending the knees slightly. As an example, the mechanic element of bending the knees slightly may assist in the skills of shooting a basketball or swinging a racquet “low to high” in tennis groundstrokes. Mastering certain elements associated with a skill typically increases the likelihood of successfully performing the skill altogether.

Generally, mastering a skill requires learning and training—otherwise known as practice—such that it can be performed proficiently and consistently. Practice may allow an athlete to develop the ability to perform the skill with little or no conscious effort, which advantageously allows the athlete to focus on strategy or other aspects of the sport.

The prior art includes certain vision restriction devices to obscure portions of the vision of an athlete for training purposes. One such device according to U.S. Pat. No. 3,629,869 is an eyeglasses frame where a lower part of the frame protrudes such that the wearer's view is obstructed in the downwardly direction. A disadvantage of this device is interference with prescription glasses or goggles worn by an athlete. An additional disadvantage is that the device may slip off of the athlete's face or slip out of a desired position when an athlete perspires causing the skin to become slippery. A further disadvantage is that a one-size-fits-all frame may not accommodate athletes with various sized heads, i.e., too tight on a large head and too loose on a small head, thereby causing discomfort.

Another vision restriction device is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 7,648,430. With this prior art device, adhesive is used to adhere two separate small devices below the eyes of an athlete. To function properly, these small devices must be appropriately positioned to block the athlete's vision in the downwardly direction. A disadvantage of these devices is that they are not well adapted to multiple uses since adhesive loses its effectiveness after one or more uses.

Practicing a skill with restricted vision assists in training an athlete to direct his or her vision in a particular direction. This is beneficial when, for example, an athlete can benefit from viewing the “field of play” instead of a sport element such as a ball, puck, or racquet. To illustrate, an athlete may wish to practice dribbling a ball with partial vision restriction, so as to improve the ability to dribble without looking at the ball and simultaneously view the field of play. When an athlete views the field of play while dribbling, the athlete may be able to make a more informed decision about making a pass to a teammate, dribbling around an opposing player, taking a shot, or making another move. An athlete with well-developed dribbling skills who consistently views the field of play, and not the basketball, is often a more strategic and improved player.

A demand therefore exists for an improved vision restriction device that facilitates multiple uses, allows an athlete to wear glasses or goggles, maintains a desired position on the athlete, accommodates athletes of all sizes, and assists in training, practicing and learning various skills. The present invention satisfies the demand.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

For purposes of this application, the present invention is discussed in reference to a vision restrictor device which may be used during sports, but the discussion is merely exemplary. The vision restrictor device according to the present invention also may be used in any endeavor in which restricting a portion of a person's field of vision may improve a skill or the ability to perform a task. For example, a vision restrictor device may be used for learning to play the piano without looking at the keys or learning to type without looking at a keyboard. For purposes of this application, the term “field of vision” is the angular and linear and areal extent of the observable world that is seen at any given moment and includes the line of sight and all peripheral views.

In one embodiment, the present invention is a device for practicing a skill of a sport by restricting or limiting a portion of the person's field of vision. The device trains an athlete to use the skill of straight-ahead vision and to preclude reliance on vision in the downwardly direction. In one example, the vision restrictor device of the present invention permits an athlete to learn and practice the skill of dribbling a basketball without monitoring or looking at the ball. It is well known that it is more efficient for an athlete to look up and ahead while dribbling a basketball without having to look down to follow the ball.

The present invention includes a vision restrictor device formed from a restrictor component and a control component. The vision restrictor device is in an “engaged position” when the control component is positioned in the mouth of an athlete and the attached restrictor component extends outward from the face of the athlete to limit a portion of an athlete's field of vision. Embodiments of a vision restrictor device are generally formed of a simplified construction such that the embodiments can be easily cleaned, stored, and reused.

Embodiments of the restrictor component include a top surface, a bottom surface, a front surface, and a back surface along with a first side surface and a second side surface. The front surface of a restrictor component may include a contour portion that is sized and shaped to accommodate the face of an athlete such that when the control component is in an engaged position, the front surface is comfortably positioned in front of or resting near or against the athlete's face. It is contemplated that the contour portion may be of any size such as or small, medium, and large, or may be a one-size-fits-all. The contour portion may be customized for a particular athlete such that the contour portion accommodates the specific shape of his or her face.

It is also contemplated that a liner element may be positioned along the contour portion. The liner element may be constructed of foam such as memory foam or neoprene to name a few. The liner element may provide flexibility such that it can easily form to match the shape of an athlete's face. The liner element may be releasably or fixedly fastened to the restrictor component. In embodiments where the liner element is releasable fastened to the restrictor component, the liner element is releasably attached with a fastener element, such as a pin, hinge, button, screw, bolt, clip, joint, hook, adhesive, VELCRO®, spring, string, male/female configuration, or swivel, to name a few. The liner element may be releasably attached so that it can be washed or replaced or such that various sized liner elements can be interchanged.

In certain embodiments, the restrictor component may include a communication element. Any surface, such as the top surface, may include information to be communicated to the athlete wearing the vision restrictor device. It is also contemplated that information may be communicated through surfaces of the device such as the bottom surface, back surface, or side surfaces to those around the athlete wearing the vision restrictor device. The communication element may communicate information regarding the field of play, an inspirational message, or advice about performing a skill. Additionally, the communication element may be a graph, a play, instructions, design, logo or a chart that can be used to draft plays and illustrate how they are set up and executed.

It is also contemplated that the restrictor component may include a noisemaker element. A noisemaker element provides sounds or audibles such as crowd noises, opponent noises, or natural noises for outdoor sports to name a few. It is contemplated that practicing a skill with audibles from a noisemaker element may improve the athlete's ability to concentrate on performing the skill.

It is also contemplated that the restrictor component may include a support structure element and a filler element such that various filler elements can be interchanged within the support structure element.

Embodiments of a restrictor component may be formed from any material that is sufficiently lightweight such that an athlete may comfortably support it with his or her mouth. Such materials may include, for example, cardboard, foam, Styrofoam®, metal, metal alloy, wood panel, plastic, paper, vinyl, or any combination, to name a few.

The control component secures and controls the position of the vision restrictor device. Embodiments of a control component may be sized and shaped for positioning the control component in an athlete's mouth such that the athlete may control the position of the vision restrictor with, for example, his or her teeth, tongue, or lips.

Embodiments of a control component may be sized and shaped such that the athlete may bite down on a portion of the control component. The control component may be a stick or plate for example. In one embodiment, the control component is a protective device for the mouth that covers the teeth and gums, known as a mouthguard such that all or part of an athlete's upper teeth or lower teeth fit within a receptacle. In certain embodiments, the control component may also allow all or part of the tongue or gums of the athlete to be positioned within the receptacle.

Embodiments of a control component may be configured for a specific person or may be sized and shaped for use by any athlete. Embodiments of a control component configured for a specific person may be formed from a mold of an athlete's mouth, mouth roof, teeth, gums, tongue, or any combination thereof. The control component may be of any size such as or small, medium, and large, or may be a one-size-fits-all.

The control component is formed from any non-toxic material that is safe to position in the mouth. Such materials include, for example, plastics such as thermoplastic, ethylene vinyl acetate, poly (vinyl acetate-ethylene) copolymer thermoplastic, polyurethane, and thermoplastic. Edible materials are also contemplated, for example, an edible material that does not disintegrate quickly in the mouth of an athlete in order to allow for use during an extended period of time. It is further contemplated that the control component may be disposable such that it is discarded after use.

Embodiments of an attachment component include any means by which the control component and the restrictor component may be attached. Embodiments of an attachment component may include, for example, pin, hinge, button, screw, bolt, clip, joint, hook, adhesive, weld, VELCRO®, spring, string, male/female configuration, or swivel, to name a few. It is contemplated that that attachment component may fixedly attach the restrictor component with the control component. It is also contemplated that the attachment component may removably attach the restrictor component with the control component so that various sized components may be interchanged. For example, an athlete may attach a selected embodiment of a control component to a selected embodiment of a restrictor component. As another example, the athlete may remove the restrictor component such that the control component can be used as a protective device (i.e., mouthguard).

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device for efficiently restricting a portion of the field of vision of an athlete, such that the athlete may train, practice and learn various skills.

It is another object of the present invention to reduce the hours of practice necessary to become proficient and consistent at performing skills without viewing a sport element such as a ball or puck.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a training device that is comfortable.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a training device that can be easily cleaned, stored, and reused.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a training device that includes components that are interchangeable if desired.

The present invention and its attributes and advantages will be further understood and appreciated with reference to the detailed description below of presently contemplated embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiments of the invention will be described in conjunction with the appended drawings provided to illustrate and not to the limit the invention, where like designations denote like elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment according to the present invention worn by an athlete;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another embodiment according to the present invention;

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of another embodiment according to the present invention;

FIG. 4B is a perspective view of another embodiment according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment according to the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an athlete 10 using an embodiment of the vision restrictor device 100 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, embodiments of a vision restrictor device 100 include a restrictor component 102 and a control component 104. A restrictor component 102 is attached to a control component 104 via an attachment component 106. In FIG. 1, the vision restrictor device 100 is shown in an “engaged position” 108 such that vision is restricted in the downwardly direction. More specifically, embodiments of a restrictor component 102 are sized and shaped to at least partially restrict the field of vision of the athlete when the vision restrictor device 100 is in an engaged position 108.

As shown in FIG. 2, embodiments of a restrictor component 102 may include a top restrictor surface 110 visible to the athlete when in the engaged position 108, a bottom restrictor surface 112 no visible to the athlete and faces the ground, a front restrictor surface 114, and a back restrictor surface 116. A restrictor component 102 may additionally include a first side restrictor surface 118 and a second side restrictor surface 120.

In the embodiment of FIG. 2, a front restrictor surface 114 includes a contour portion 122. A contour portion 122 may be sized and shaped to accommodate the face of an athlete 10 such that when the vision restrictor device 100 is in an engaged position 108, the front restrictor surface 114 is comfortably positioned in front or near the athlete's 10 face. Embodiments of a contour portion 122 may be customized for a particular athlete 10 such that the contour portion 122 is sized and shaped to accommodate a specific athlete's face 10. Embodiments of a front restrictor surface 114 also may include a contour portion 122 having various sizes such as small, medium, and large, or may include a one-size-fits-all contour portion 122.

Embodiments of a control component 104 may be configured such that the athlete 10 is able to control the position of the restrictor component 102. For example, a control component 104 may be sized and shaped such that the control component 104 fits within an athlete's 10 mouth such that the athlete 10 may control the restrictor component 102 with the position of his or her teeth, tongue, or lips. In one embodiment, the control component 104 is known to those skilled in the art as a mouthguard, or a protective device for the mouth that covers the teeth and gums.

The embodiments of a control component 104 shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 4A, 4B, and 6 include a receptacle element 124. A receptacle element 124 is configured to receive an athlete's 10 teeth. As shown in FIG. 2, a receptacle element 124 may include an inner receptacle border 126, an outer receptacle border 128, and a lower receptacle border 130. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, an inner receptacle border 126 and an outer receptacle border 128 are each bound to the lower receptacle border 130. The receptacle element 124 of FIG. 2 also includes a back receptacle border 132.

FIG. 2 illustrates an attachment component 106 configured as a pin 134 such that the restrictor component 102 is removable from the control component 104. A pin 134 may be comprised of a head of a pin 136 and a body of a pin 138. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the embodiment of a pin 134 may be positioned by pushing the body of the pin 138 through the control component 104 and into the restrictor component 102 such that the head of the pin 136 becomes generally flush with the outer receptacle border 128.

FIG. 3 illustrates an attachment component 106 configured as a male//female configuration. Specifically, the attachment component 106 of this embodiment includes a male protrusion element 105 on the contour portion 122 of the restrictor component 102 and a female receiving element 107 on the control component 104 such that the male protrusion element 105 is removably attachable with the female receiving element 107. Therefore, the athlete may remove the restrictor component such that the control component can be used as a protective device for the mouth.

Embodiments of a restrictor component 102 may be comprised of a surface configured to convey information through a communication element 143. Such a surface may be viewed by the athlete and include information including, for example, the field of play, an inspirational message, advice about performing a skill, a graph, a play, instructions, design, logo or a chart that can be used to draft plays and illustrate how they are set up and executed.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, a top restrictor surface 110 may be viewed by the athlete while in the engaged position 108 and include a communication element 143 conveying information about the field of play, in this case, a basketball court.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate embodiments of vision restrictor devices 100 configured to restrict a portion of the vision of an athlete. FIGS. 4A and 4B include a restrictor component 102 configured with a front restrictor surface 114, a back restrictor surface 116, a first side restrictor surface 118, and a second side restrictor surface 120 forming a semi-circular configured restrictor component 102. The front restrictor surface 114 includes a contour portion 122 that is sized and shaped to accommodate the face of a particular athlete 10.

As mentioned above, the embodiment of FIG. 4A includes a control component 104 configured as a receptacle element 124. The embodiment of FIG. 4B includes a control component 104 configured as a mold of teeth 144 such that the mold 144 is a continuous surface that may surround all or part of an athlete's 10 teeth.

The attachment component of FIGS. 4A and 4B is configured as VELCRO® 146. VELCRO® 146 includes a plurality of hooks 148 and a plurality of loops 150 such that the plurality of hooks 148 is attached to the restrictor component and the plurality of loops 150 is attached to the control component 104.

Embodiments of a vision restrictor device 100 further may include a liner element 140 as shown in FIG. 4A. A liner element 140 is generally sized and shaped to be positioned along one or more portions of the front restrictor surface 114. Embodiments of a liner element 140 may be configured for flexibility or comfort. A liner element 140 configured for flexibility includes flexible material that easily flexes to match the shape of an athlete's 10 face such that athletes having various face shapes may use the same vision restrictor device 100. A liner element 140 configured for comfort may be made from a soft or smooth material and may be configured to protect the athlete's 10 face from scratches or scrapes from the other components of the vision restrictor device 100. The liner element 140 may be releasably or fixedly fastened to the restrictor component 102 with a fastener element, which may include a pin, hinge, button, screw, bolt, clip, joint, hook, adhesive, VELCRO®, spring, string, male/female configuration, or swivel, to name a few. The embodiment shown in FIG. 4A includes a liner element 140 releasably fastened to the restrictor component 102 with VELCRO®142.

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of a vision restrictor device 100 configured for vision restricted training. The restrictor component 102 of this embodiment is sized and shaped to generally limit the field of vision below each eye of an athlete. The restrictor component 102 is configured with a front restrictor surface 114, a back restrictor surface 116, a first side restrictor surface 118, and a second side restrictor surface 120. As shown, the control component 104 is configured with a receptacle element 124. Certain embodiments of an attachment component 106 are configured such that an athlete or coach may alter the position of a restrictor component 102. As shown in FIG. 5, such an attachment component 106 is configured as a hinge 152 which may allow an athlete or coach to position the restrictor component 102 to a desired position.

Also shown in FIG. 5, certain embodiments of a restrictor component 102 may include a noisemaker element 160. A noisemaker element 160 is configured to improve the athlete's ability to concentrate on performing the skill despite possible noise distractions during a sport (e.g., crowd noises, opponent noises, natural noises for outdoor sports, to name a few). Embodiments of a noisemaker element 160 include, for example, a bell, a whistle, a clapper, or device capable of playing pre-recorded noises. A noisemaker element 160 may be positioned on a surface of the restrictor component 102, but may also be embedded within a surface.

As shown in FIG. 6, certain embodiments of a restrictor component 102 include a support structure element 154 and a filler element 156. The support structure element 154 is configured to retain a filler element 156. A support structure element 154 includes an internal border 158. The internal border 158 may be configured with a receiving element such as a slot (not shown) such that the filler element 156 may be received within the support structure element 154. It is contemplated that the filler element 156 is replaceable or removable from the support structure element 154 such that various filler elements 156 can be interchanged within the support structure element 154.

While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific exemplary embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and have herein been described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit the disclosure to the particular embodiments disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims. 

1. A device worn by an athlete to restrict vision in a field of vision, comprising: a restrictor component including a top restrictor surface, a bottom restrictor surface, a front restrictor surface, and a back restrictor surface, wherein said front restrictor surface includes a contour portion with an attachment component; and a control component joined to said restrictor component via said attachment component and configured to be positioned in a mouth of the athlete such that said restrictor component restricts a portion of the field of vision of the athlete.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein said contour portion of said front restrictor surface is sized and shaped to accommodate the face of the athlete.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein said control component further comprises a receptacle element formed by an inner receptacle border, an outer receptacle border, and a lower receptacle border such that said receptacle element is configured to receive the teeth of the athlete.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein said contour portion of said front restrictor surface includes a liner element.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein said restrictor component further includes a communication element.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the restrictor component further includes a noisemaker element.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein said restrictor component includes a support structure element and a filler element.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein said control component is configured as a mold of the teeth of the athlete.
 9. The device of claim 3, wherein said control component is a mouthguard.
 10. The device of claim 1, wherein said attachment component includes a male protrusion element on said contour portion of said restrictor component and a female receiving element on said control component such that said male protrusion element is removably attachable with said female receiving element. 